Alaafin stool: Crisis looms as nine ruling houses demand cancellation of 86 aspirants’ Interview
Nine of 11 royal families of Alaafin Atiba yesterday called for cancellation of the ongoing interview for 86 aspirants shortlisted to become the Alaafin of Oyo.
The families include Tella Okitipapa, Adediran Ese Apata, Olanite, Adelabu Baba Ibadan, Adesiyan, Adesokan Baba Idode, Iteade Abidekun, Adeitan and Tella Agbojulogun.
They said failure of the Oyo State Government to do the right thing in respect of the selection process would result in legal tussle, which might lead to the removal of whoever emerged as the Alaafin.
Speaking in Oyo on behalf of the families at a news conference to express their grievances, Prince Afolabi Adeshina (from Adeitan royal family) said the government should have waited for the completion of cases in court before going ahead with the process of choosing an Alaafin.
He said the government, after the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, issued a letter dated August 9, 2022, directing Baba Iyaji to choose a crown prince from the Agunloye family and present him to the Oyo Mesi without considering other nine families, who are yet to occupy the throne.
Adeshina said the government was interested in who would succeed Oba Adeyemi, adding that that was why nine of the 11 families were sidelined from the process.
He said they wanted fairness, equity and justice in the installation of the Alaafin.
